Tristan’s wealth of gin knowledge, as the author of the Gin Palace and founder of the award-winning gin bar, The Whistling Shop, has helped him to create two perfectly balanced cocktails. The Mons Meg and Lainie allow the Caorunn gin and the apple botanical to perfectly balance each drink.

The effervescent Mons Meg is based on the classic French 75 cocktail but with a Scottish twist. This drink requires apple shrub created by mixing together cloudy apple juice, cider vinegar and heather honey. The apple shrub is then mixed with Caorunn gin and sparkling wine. The apple shrub works perfectly with Caorunn gin to open up its crisp flavours. Just as the classic French 75 is named after a canon, so is this Caorunn cocktail which is notably named after Scotland's most famous canon, Mons Meg.

For a perfect summer garden tipple, try the Lainie. Here, Caorunn’s foraged botanicals are complemented by crisp apple and refreshing mint. All this is then lifted with the addition of a sparkling cider which enhances the crisp and sweet flavours from the Coul Blush Apple. The rising bubbles will also lift the wild botanical aromas found in Caorunn. Inspired by lazy summer days, this cooling cocktail takes its name from the old Gaelic name Lainie, meaning “Light”.

For an alternative drink, the Caorunn G&T can be easily crafted and enjoyed at home. Serve the Caorunn with thin slices of red apple along with premium tonic water and lots of ice for a refreshing, clean, full-bodied and aromatic drink with a long-lasting dry and crisp finish.

Recipes:

Mons Meg

Serve in a flute (tall sparkling wine glass)

One Shot (30ml) Caorunn Gin

Half a shot (15ml) Farm Apple Shrub*

Top Up (90ml) Sparkling Wine

Red Apple Slice (to garnish)

Keep all your ingredients in the fridge and your glassware in the freezer until you’re ready to serve. Measure and pour the Caorunn and Farm Apple Shrub into your flute and carefully top up with your Sparkling Wine of choice before adding the finishing touch, a juicy Red Apple Slice to the rim of the glass. Do they have to stir or shake it?

To make the Farm Apple Shrub:

Combine equal parts Cloudy Apple Juice, Cider Vinegar & Heather Honey, stirring until the honey dissolves. You can add a little heat to speed up the process, but make sure everything is cooled down before adding to the cocktail. Will keep quite happily in the fridge for at least 3 months.

Lainie:

Serve in a highball (tall tumbler glass)

One Shot (30ml) Caorunn Gin

One Shot (30ml) White Grapefruit Juice

10 Fresh Mint Leaves

Top Up (100ml) Sparkling Cider

Apple Wheel and Mint Sprig (to garnish)

To serve, fill a highball with cubed ice and the Mint Leaves (give these a quick smack before you add them to release the fragrant oils), then add the remaining ingredients, pouring the cider slowly so as not to release too many bubbles. Stir gently and garnish before sitting in the garden and putting your feet up.

About Caorunn:

Caorunn is a small-batch, handcrafted gin distilled in the Scottish Highlands. It’s infused with five locally foraged botanicals including dandelion, heather, coul bush, apple, bog myrtle and rowan berries along with six traditional gin botanicals and natural Scottish water.

Tristan Stephenson comments: “As someone who appreciates natural flavours and aromas, it was a real pleasure to collaborate with Caorunn. There’s an unmistakable baked apple note on the aroma of Caorunn, which is sharpened up by a touch of juniper and then delicate florals. Those initially volatile elements quickly dissipate however, leaving a light and elegant spiced base.”

Tristan continues; “I’ve been inspired by the gin master, Simon Buley and how he personally balances the botanicals in each bottle of Caorunn. I have followed in suit and focused on enhancing each of the five Scottish botanicals, in particular the apple to showcase the best of this Scotland gin.”

Caorunn Gin Master Simon Buley says: “Cocktails are a great way to savour the foraged ingredients in Caorunn gin. By combining Caorunn with other natural ingredients, Tristan’s really been able to enhance the experience, providing you with an aromatic taste of the rolling Scottish Highlands in every sip. Caorunn is classically served with an apple slice and Tristan’s two superb cocktails take this idea to the next level.”

Caorunn Gin is available from £28 in selected Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and also Fortnum and Mason, Oddbins, The Conran Shop, Spirited Wines, The Whisky Shop and spirit specialists.

Caorunn is loved globally, available in more than 35 countries. Caorunn' s versatile taste works perfectly in any classic and modern cocktail, loved by bartenders across the globe, it is listed in 12 of the world’s leading bars.

Are you a lover of Gin?! Do you love cocktails?! Why not treat yourself or someone you love to a bottle of Caorunn Gin today and get creating?! I would love to see what you come up with! Tweet me @sunshinesarahxo! Why not read my previous cocktail recipe post!?